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MLI vs. MMM: Mueller Industries vs. 3M Stock Comparison

How do Mueller Industries (MLI) and 3M (MMM) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.

Company Profile

Mueller Industries (MLI) and 3M (MMM) both fall under the Capital Goods industry group, but MLI is classified in Machinery while MMM is classified in Industrial Conglomerates.

Company profile comparison for Mueller Industries (MLI) and 3M (MMM)
Profile ItemMLIMMM
NameMueller Industries, Inc.3M Company
Country/RegionUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorIndustrialsIndustrials
GICS Industry GroupCapital GoodsCapital Goods
GICS IndustryMachineryIndustrial Conglomerates
GICS Sub-IndustryIndustrial Machinery & Supplies & ComponentsIndustrial Conglomerates
Market Capitalization11.54 billion USD95.67 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateFebruary 25, 1991January 2, 1962
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

MLI
MMM
GSPC
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Mueller Industries (MLI) vs. 3M (MMM), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Trailing Returns

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Trailing total returns for Mueller Industries (MLI) and 3M (MMM). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for Mueller Industries (MLI) and 3M (MMM). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Mueller Industries (MLI) and 3M (MMM)
MetricMLIMMM
Total Return (1Y)3.68%16.26%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)44.56%38.64%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)32.39%8.14%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

MLI
MMM
GSPC
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Mueller Industries (MLI) vs. 3M (MMM), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Drawdown from the running peak over the past five years. Each line shows the decline from its prior peak; 0% marks a new high.

Return Distribution

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Distribution of monthly total returns for Mueller Industries (MLI) and 3M (MMM). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for Mueller Industries (MLI) and 3M (MMM)
MetricMLIMMM
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)34.44%27.61%
Beta (5Y)1.010.97
Max Drawdown (5Y)-27.79%-48.86%
Avg. Volume (3M)1.61M3.14M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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MLI and MMM are plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. The dashed Capital Allocation Line runs from the risk-free rate through the shared industry median.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

Risk-adjusted metrics for Mueller Industries (MLI) and 3M (MMM)
MetricMLIMMM
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)-0.020.43
Sortino Ratio (1Y)-0.020.70

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Both companies show strong equity returns, but 3M (MMM) at 72.97% is the standout with ROE above its industry range; Mueller Industries (MLI) at 26.26% also sits in the top quartile.

MLI

Capital Goods industry group

26.26%

Max
40.55%
MLI
26.26%
Q3
19.29%
Median
12.12%
Q1
4.08%
Min
-17.12%

MMM

Capital Goods industry group

72.97%

MMM
72.97%
Max
40.55%
Q3
19.29%
Median
12.12%
Q1
4.08%
Min
-17.12%
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Mueller Industries (MLI) vs. 3M (MMM): A comparison of their ROE against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

For every dollar of sales, both Mueller Industries (MLI) at 17.27% and 3M (MMM) at 14.01% retain more as net profit than most peers, landing in the top net margin quartile of their industries.

MLI

Capital Goods industry group

17.27%

Max
27.47%
MLI
17.27%
Q3
12.10%
Median
6.30%
Q1
1.40%
Min
-12.89%

MMM

Capital Goods industry group

14.01%

Max
27.47%
MMM
14.01%
Q3
12.10%
Median
6.30%
Q1
1.40%
Min
-12.89%
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Mueller Industries (MLI) vs. 3M (MMM): A comparison of their net margin against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Both Mueller Industries (MLI) at 19.53% and 3M (MMM) at 23.69% convert sales into operating profit at a top-quartile rate, pointing to tighter cost discipline before financing and tax.

MLI

Capital Goods industry group

19.53%

Max
36.60%
MLI
19.53%
Q3
18.33%
Median
11.12%
Q1
5.14%
Min
-12.63%

MMM

Capital Goods industry group

23.69%

Max
36.60%
MMM
23.69%
Q3
18.33%
Median
11.12%
Q1
5.14%
Min
-12.63%
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Mueller Industries (MLI) vs. 3M (MMM): A comparison of their operating margin against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Mueller Industries (MLI) and 3M (MMM)
MetricMLIMMM
ROE (TTM)26.26%72.97%
ROA (TTM)16.23%8.22%
Net Margin (TTM)17.27%14.01%
Operating Margin (TTM)19.53%23.69%
Gross Margin (TTM)27.25%39.53%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Mueller Industries (MLI) at 10.87% is around its peer norm for revenue growth, while 3M (MMM) at 1.52% drops into the bottom quartile, signaling weaker demand or pricing momentum.

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Mueller Industries (MLI) vs. 3M (MMM): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Both Mueller Industries (MLI) at 29.19% and 3M (MMM) at -20.53% land near their industries' usual EPS growth ranges, so bottom-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

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Mueller Industries (MLI) vs. 3M (MMM): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Mueller Industries (MLI) and 3M (MMM)
MetricMLIMMM
Revenue Growth (YoY)10.87%1.52%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)1.62%-1.57%
EPS Growth (YoY)29.19%-20.53%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)5.63%-16.16%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Mueller Industries (MLI) at 4.39 carries current ratio above its industry’s typical mid-range, while 3M (MMM) at 1.41 runs in the tighter-liquidity quartile — different working-capital profiles, both worth examining.

MLI

Capital Goods industry group

4.39

Max
5.22
MLI
4.39
Q3
2.95
Median
2.08
Q1
1.43
Min
0.36

MMM

Capital Goods industry group

1.41

Max
5.22
Q3
2.95
Median
2.08
Q1
1.43
MMM
1.41
Min
0.36
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Mueller Industries (MLI) vs. 3M (MMM): A comparison of their current ratio against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Mueller Industries (MLI) at 0.01 keeps leverage in the lower quartile, while 3M (MMM) at 3.04 is above its industry debt-to-equity ratio range.

MLI

Capital Goods industry group

0.01

Max
2.33
Q3
1.12
Median
0.60
Q1
0.29
MLI
0.01
Min
0.00

MMM

Capital Goods industry group

3.04

MMM
3.04
Max
2.33
Q3
1.12
Median
0.60
Q1
0.29
Min
0.00
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Mueller Industries (MLI) vs. 3M (MMM): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for Mueller Industries (MLI) and 3M (MMM)
MetricMLIMMM
Current Ratio (MRQ)4.391.41
Debt / Equity (MRQ)0.013.04
Net Debt / EBITDA-1.311.26

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Both Mueller Industries (MLI) at 1.24% and 3M (MMM) at 1.64% offer top-quartile dividend income relative to share price within their industries.

MLI

Capital Goods industry group

1.24%

Max
2.66%
MLI
1.24%
Q3
1.14%
Median
0.24%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

MMM

Capital Goods industry group

1.64%

Max
2.66%
MMM
1.64%
Q3
1.14%
Median
0.24%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Mueller Industries (MLI) vs. 3M (MMM): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Mueller Industries (MLI) at 16.67% pays out a band-typical share of earnings, while 3M (MMM) at 45.82% distributes more than its industry norm — less retained, thinner cover.

MLI

Capital Goods industry group

16.67%

Max
67.39%
Q3
28.02%
MLI
16.67%
Median
6.86%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

MMM

Capital Goods industry group

45.82%

Max
67.39%
MMM
45.82%
Q3
28.02%
Median
6.86%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Mueller Industries (MLI) vs. 3M (MMM): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Mueller Industries (MLI) and 3M (MMM)
MetricMLIMMM
Dividend Yield (TTM)1.24%1.64%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)16.67%45.82%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Mueller Industries (MLI) at 13.58 sits in the cheaper P/E ratio quartile, while 3M (MMM) at 27.63 is closer to its industry’s usual earnings multiple — a discount for MLI, though growth and earnings durability still matter.

MLI

Capital Goods industry group

13.58

Max
59.38
Q3
35.92
Median
25.41
Q1
19.47
MLI
13.58
Min
3.03

MMM

Capital Goods industry group

27.63

Max
59.38
Q3
35.92
MMM
27.63
Median
25.41
Q1
19.47
Min
3.03
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Mueller Industries (MLI) vs. 3M (MMM): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

Mueller Industries (MLI) at 2.31 is priced about in line with its industry on P/S ratio, while 3M (MMM) at 3.79 sits in the pricier quartile — MMM costs more per dollar of sales.

MLI

Capital Goods industry group

2.31

Max
7.54
Q3
3.76
MLI
2.31
Median
2.15
Q1
1.03
Min
0.03

MMM

Capital Goods industry group

3.79

Max
7.54
MMM
3.79
Q3
3.76
Median
2.15
Q1
1.03
Min
0.03
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Mueller Industries (MLI) vs. 3M (MMM): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Mueller Industries (MLI) at 0.33 sits in the lower P/B ratio quartile relative to book while 3M (MMM) at 23.18 prices above its industry range — a wide valuation gap against assets.

MLI

Capital Goods industry group

0.33

Max
9.66
Q3
5.00
Median
3.12
Q1
1.81
MLI
0.33
Min
-1.08

MMM

Capital Goods industry group

23.18

MMM
23.18
Max
9.66
Q3
5.00
Median
3.12
Q1
1.81
Min
-1.08
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Mueller Industries (MLI) vs. 3M (MMM): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for Mueller Industries (MLI) and 3M (MMM)
MetricMLIMMM
P/E Ratio (TTM)13.5827.63
P/S Ratio (TTM)2.313.79
P/B Ratio (MRQ)0.3323.18
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)4.65%6.66%